Detroit Zoological Society
- Assets
- $70.8m
- Revenue
- $54.3m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 568
- Location
- Royal Oak, MI
- Founding
- 06/1958
- Data as of
- 12/2023
- EIN
- 38-6027356
Organization Overview
Detroit Zoological Society is located in Royal Oak, MI. The organization was established in 1958. According to its NTEE Classification (D50) the organization is classified as: Zoos & Aquariums, under the broad grouping of Animal-Related and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Detroit Zoological Society employed 568 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Detroit Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Detroit Zoological Society generated $54.3m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 9 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 1.4% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $56.2m during the year ending 12/2023. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2015, Detroit Zoological Society has awarded 222 individual grants totaling $3,735,929. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE MISSION OF THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY (DZS) IS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND THE NATURAL WORLD SO ALL CAN THRIVE. THE VISION OF THE DZS IS TO BE A FORCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN A WORLD WHERE ANIMALS AND NATURE ARE VALUED, UNDERSTOOD AND PROTECTED BY ALL PEOPLE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
CONSERVATION, ANIMAL CARE, AND WELFARE: THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, ANIMAL CARE, AND ANIMAL WELFARE. THE DETROIT ZOO AND BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER HAD 2,221 INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS REPRESENTING 214 SPECIES IN ITS CARE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023. THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS A LEADER IN SPECIES CONSERVATION THROUGH ITS LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FIELD CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, ITS SUPPORT OF PARTNERS' FIELD CONSERVATION WORK AND CAPTIVE BREEDING OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AT THE DETROIT ZOO AND BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER. THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S CENTER FOR ZOO AND AQUARIUM ANIMAL WELFARE AND ETHICS IS A RESOURCE CENTER FOR CAPTIVE ANIMAL WELFARE KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES; A CONVENER AND FORUM FOR EXOTIC ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE, PRACTICE AND POLICY DISCUSSIONS; AND A CENTER CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND TRAINING, AND RECOGNIZING ADVANCES IN EXOTIC ANIMAL WELFARE.
THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE CONSISTENT WITH A COMMITMENT TO OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP. THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY MAINTAINS GROUNDS AT THE DETROIT ZOO AND BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER TOTALING 130 ACRES AND 80 BUILDINGS WHERE STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE COMMITTED TO LESSENING THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE EARTH. THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY HAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE, GREEN ROADMAP CALLED THE GREENPRINT. THIS COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLAN GUIDES OUR OPERATIONS AND IS THE PLAN BY WHICH WE REFINE AND IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES AND DAILY PRACTICES, DEVELOP NEW POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AND IMPROVE GREEN LITERACY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
EDUCATION: THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY PROVIDES A BROAD AUDIENCE WITH OUTSTANDING AND UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT LEAD TO THE APPRECIATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF NATURE. HUMANE EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION, SCIENCE LITERACY AND STEWARDSHIP ARE FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENTS OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. PROGRAMS UTILIZE A VARIETY OF INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES - INCLUDING INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING, STORYTELLING, INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE - TO MEET THE VARIOUS LEARNING STYLES OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPS ENHANCE HUMANE EDUCATION AND LIFE SCIENCE EXPERIENCES IN THE CLASSROOM THROUGH ONSITE PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY-BASED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, INTERNSHIPS, TEACHER TRAINING AND CURRICULUM SUPPORT. THE DZS EDUCATION TEAM ALSO CREATES UNIQUE AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES ONLINE.
GUEST ENGAGEMENT: THE DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CONTINUES TO INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY WITH ENGAGING, MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AT BOTH THE DETROIT ZOO AND BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER. SIGNIFICANT ANIMAL HABITATS/FACILITIES AT THE DETROIT ZOO INCLUDE THE ARCTIC RING OF LIFE HABITAT FOR POLAR BEARS AND SEA OTTERS, THE DEVEREAUX TIGER FOREST, THE GREAT APES OF HARAMBEE, THE POLK PENGUIN CONSERVATION CENTER, THE COTTON FAMILY WOLF WILDERNESS, THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK ADVENTURE, AND THE NATIONAL AMPHIBIAN CONSERVATION CENTER. THE DETROIT ZOO WELCOMED 1.24 MILLION VISITORS IN 2023. IN ADDITION TO ANIMAL EXPERIENCES, OTHER ATTRACTIONS AT THE ZOO INCLUDE THE 4-D THEATER, GIRAFFE ENCOUNTER, TAUBER FAMILY RAILROAD, SCIENCE ON A SPHERE, AND THE CAROUSEL. VISITORS CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN ZOO-SPONSORED EVENTS INCLUDING GREENFEST, SUNSET AT THE ZOO, RUN WILD, ZOO BOO AND WILD LIGHTS. ATTENDANCE IN 2023 WAS VERY CLOSE TO OUR PRE-PANDEMIC AVERAGE, AND THE DZS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE EXPERIENCE TO ALL GUESTS. AT THE BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER, VISITORS ARE ABLE TO GET AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF AN ACTIVE BEEHIVE AND GET AN UP-CLOSE VIEW OF MICHIGAN WILDLIFE, INCLUDING NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. ADMISSION AND PROGRAMMING AT THE BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Hayley Murphy Executive Director/ceo | Officer | 50 | $516,947 |
Robert Schumaker Chief Financial Officer | Officer | 50 | $268,288 |
Jane Alessandrini VP Of Development | Officer | 50 | $233,343 |
Sabarras George Chief Operating Officer | Officer | 50 | $196,176 |
Randi Hamilton VP Of Guest Services, Communications, And Marketing | Officer | 50 | $189,756 |
Diane Miller VP Of Education | Officer | 50 | $191,151 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
The Albert M Higley Co Llc Construction Management | 12/30/23 | $1,822,893 |
Midwest Commercial Construction Llc Construction Management | 12/30/23 | $1,263,639 |
Conti Corporation Facilities Maintenance | 12/30/23 | $621,662 |
Whole Trees Llc Construction Management | 12/30/23 | $269,830 |
Doner Partners Llc Marketing Consultation | 12/30/23 | $232,940 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $1,750,798 |
| Fundraising events | $652,150 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $16,598,726 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $7,790,451 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $296,940 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $26,792,125 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $25,153,549 |
| Investment income | $2,384,328 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $362,037 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$321,698 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | -$127,027 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $54,342,499 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $306,766 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $248,167 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $1,923,986 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $849,821 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $18,424,170 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $625,478 |
| Other employee benefits | $2,407,084 |
| Payroll taxes | $1,680,478 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $170,870 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $163,791 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $84,000 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Other | $18,088,703 |
| Advertising and promotion | $2,167,979 |
| Office expenses | $364,101 |
| Information technology | $663,848 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $4,892,598 |
| Travel | $54,686 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $861,988 |
| Interest | $2,351 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $440,107 |
| Insurance | $708,188 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $56,218,168 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $78,304 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $14,376,606 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $1,899,951 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $4,018,971 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $835,409 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $1,959,522 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $47,582,388 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $70,751,151 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $6,131,635 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $2,994,939 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $252,708 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $9,379,282 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $43,225,955 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $18,145,914 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $70,751,151 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, Detroit Zoological Society has awarded $250,000 in support to 18 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND INTERNATIONAL INC PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $50,000 |
OKLAHOMA CITY ZOOLOGICAL TRUST DBA OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDEN PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $20,000 |
RE WILD PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $20,000 |
GORILLA REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER INC PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $20,000 |
GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION USA PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $10,000 |
ASU FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY DBA ASU FOUNDATION PURPOSE: Conservation Support | $10,000 |